Campbell holds his hands up over Edinburgh defeat

Lichties boss accepts responsibility but wants ‘major response’ from team

Arbroath boss Dick Campbell is looking for a “major response” from his players after admitting he picked the wrong team last time around.

The Lichties have enjoyed a terrific season in League One so far – they sit unbeaten at the top of the table and four points clear of second-placed Raith Rovers, after having played nine games.

However, it all went horribly wrong when Campbell made six changes to his line-up to face Edinburgh City in the Friday night Irn-Bru Cup clash at Gayfield.

That tie eight days ago saw the Angus men slump to a 4-1 defeat and crash out of the competition.

It was their first loss of any kind since July 17 when they were beaten in the Betfred Cup by Alloa and Campbell was happy to take his share of the blame for that disappointing result.

Now he is looking for his players to bounce back in style when they play Dumbarton at home in the league this afternoon.

Campbell said: “I got it wrong. “I made six changes to the team that night and, looking back, that was a mistake.

“For the previous games in that competition, I went with a certain side and I thought those lads deserved to stay in but I should have played my first team.

“I have actually been slaughtered this week for that – some of the stick has been unbelievable but I’m prepared to admit that I made the wrong decision.

“Now, though, I am looking for a major response from the players against Dumbarton.

“There will definitely be changes for that game and I expect a positive reaction.”

Callum Smith is available again after being cup-tied for the Irn-Bru match and he should be one of several changes made by Arbroath.

Picture: SNS. Dick Campbell has taken the blame for the cup defeat by Edinburgh City.